Support Mark Farrington's Battle for Health

This is generally not the way we go about things in our family, but I figure because of the extreme circumstances I would reach out to you.

I would like to tell you a story about my father, Sr. Master Sergeant Mark R. Farrington (USAF, RET.), my best friend and one of the greatest men to ever bless this earth.

You see, my father is the type of guy who has always put others before himself, not just his family and friends, but strangers and, at times, his rivals, as well. I have witnessed him spend his last few dollars on someone he didn’t know but who he believed needed it more than he and I have seen him devote his time and attention to everyone else and their needs rather than ever focusing on his own. And still, to this very day, if you ask my father what his dreams and hopes are, his responses are centered around those in his life that he holds and loves so dearly.

My father is a thirty-four-year veteran in the United States Air Force and after the events of September 11, 2001, he was reactivated from the reserves and ready to serve in any capacity. Shortly following the event of 9/11, he was deployed throughout the Middle East to Iraq, Afghan., Qatar, Kuwait and more. Many of these deployments he willingly volunteered for because he believed by going himself that some young soldier somewhere wouldn’t have to. My father is a leader, and the number of awards, advancements, opportunities, but most importantly, people who have ever had the opportunity to meet him can easily attest to his character and commitment.

My father, after over three decades of service, retired from the Air Force in 2017 and was ready to settle down with my mother and his dogs for the first time in 16 years. Unfortunately, the contentment of retirement was cut short.

During my father’s years of service and deployments to the Middle East, he was exposed to harmful toxins caused by proximity and constant exposure to “burn pits” as well as not having reliable access to protective gear from the consistent sunlight. And, in 2022, the effects of those variables came to light.

It started as a bump on his upper arm and my father felt something was wrong and went to a dermatologist who immediately identified it skin cancer. And, after testing and biopsies, he was diagnosed with Stage 3A Malignant Melanoma. Shortly after, he began an immunotherapy treatment called Keytruda.

During the year of Keytruda, my father was sick with incredible nausea and a growing headache, tired and going through most of the symptoms one would expect with cancer treatment.” But through it all, my father powered through and on January 5, 2023, was told that he was ‘cancer free’ and could take a break in treatment because of the headache he was experiencing. The next day, January 6, 2023, my mother brought my father to the emergency room with an unbearable headache.

It was at that point that my father was diagnosed with a tangerine-sized brain tumor in the back right occipital lobe. Through the Grace of God, and a lot of prayer, my father had a successful surgery, and the tumor was removed; now was the start of recovery. After being in a rehabilitation facility, my father was given high-does radiation for six weeks then immediately started on a dual immunotherapy (Obdualog). While on this therapy, the side effects hit so dramatically that he went from weighing 180 pounds of muscle to 155 pounds, was unable to hold food down and barely able to do basic day-to-day tasks.

I came out here in August of 2023 to visit for our birthday; we share one. When my father answered the door, I was stunned to see the strong, towering man I’ve known all my life become so frail and fragile. It was at that moment that I decided to leave my life in North Carolina and move to Indiana to ensure that he was getting the best care and to take some of the burden off of my mother who had been dealing with much of this alone.

Since my arrival, my father has been diagnosed and treated for EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency); a rare,1% side effect from the immunotherapy, which caused him to go into starvation mode before it was diagnosed and treated with the proper medications. In addition, he was also diagnosed with drug-induced microscopic colitis which he was prescribed a steroid that caused “reversible dementia with parkinsonian features” as a side effect. Now, after all these tribulations, my father has remained strong and determined to heal and have time with his family and those he loves. But, as we were finally seeing a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, he is hit with another burden.

A couple of weeks back my father was becoming despondent, non-verbal and unable to move his body. Rushing him to the hospital in the middle of the night, and a few days later to the Indiana University hospital in Indianapolis, we have learned that the immunotherapy has caused toxicity leading to acute heart failure and neurological effects. But still, in the face of all the uncertainty and fear, my father is still determined to be there for his loved ones.

My father has gone through so much and during these times a financial burden has started to arise, causing even more worry for him and my mother. I do not want my dad to worry about anything right now. The only thing he should focus on is getting better and stronger. But, if you know my father, you know how his mind is very capable to focusing on just one singular subject when there is something weighing on him.

My dad is my best friend, and I will do anything in my capabilities to help him in any way as it is what he has always done for others. However, as much as it pains me to say, I am unable to help him with this and humbly come to you for assistance.

My father has done so much for everyone except himself, and I would love to be able to show him how profound an impact he has had on the lives of those he has touched. Would you please help?

My humble and kindest regards,

Michael Farrington